The US government has downgraded Thailand in its latest Trafficking in Persons report for failing to combat the trafficking of workers in various sectors, particularly Burmese men in the abusive and brutal fishing industry.

Two Burmese migrants are lost at sea after attempting to escape from a fishing boat off the coast of Thailand. A third escapee made it to shore alive and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he reported the incident to local police.

Thai authorities agree to cooperate and provide full labour rights to Burmese migrants, with additional pledges to protect the estimated one to two million Burmese in Thailand from elements such as extortion and employment scams.

Some Burmese migrant workers have been assuming new identities in a bid to return to work in Thailand after completing the four years of employment they are entitled to, a source from a labour NGO says.

More than 100 Burmese are arrested along with three suspected members of a human smuggling gang after Thai police got a tip-off that a gang would try to smuggle illegal immigrants from Burma to Bangkok.

More than 300 Burmese migrant workers are in detention following a fresh crackdown by Malaysian authorities against illegal migrants, according to a source close to the Burmese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

The Burmese embassy in Bangkok has issued a warning to its nationals in the Thai capital to avoid anti-government rallies amid a threat by protesters to bring the city to halt on 13 January by blockading major roads.

Nearly 100 Burmese workers are hiding in a warehouse at the Shin Yang Shipyard in the port town on Miri, fearing for their safety after a personal fight between Burmese and Indonesian co-workers almost turned into a mass brawl.